We Won't Abide Bribes

As reported on Balidiscovery.com, [See: Caught in the Act] a Balinese policeman recently was the object of unwanted international attention when he was caught receiving a bribe from two Canadian tourists in Bali who surreptitiously recorded the encounter on video.

The video received international exposure on YouTube.com and a severe lambasting in the local Bali press complaining that the tape related a situation all-too-familiar to the Island's motorists.

Bali's Chief of Police Inspector General Paulus Purwoko's reputation for giving no quarter to dishonest cops was, however, reinforced when the "starring" officer in the video was tracked down to an Ungasan substation in South Bali.

The Spokesman for the Bali Police, Commissioner AS Reniban, confirmed that Adjutant Inspector 1st Grade I Ketut W was recalled to the Denpasar headquarters on December 11th for interrogation by the Internal Affairs' division of the Bali Police. Reniban told Radar Bali that the Police do not in any way condone such behavior and the officer's actions were unrepresentative of the police force as a whole.

A Cuppa for the Copper

Radar Bali reported that during the interrogation Officer Ketut claimed his intentions were "honorable," planning to surrender Rp. 30,000 (US$3.20) of the Rp. 50,000 (US$5.40) suspicious payment to the Denpasar traffic court and use the balance "to buy tea."

Reniban told the press that he hopes the quick action taken by the police against Officer Ketut will encourage the public to remain vigilantly critical of policemen failing in their responsibilities to the public. The police spokesman assured the public that all reports of misbehavior by officers will receive serious and urgent attention by the police.

What final criminal punishment awaits the allegedly errant police office, however, remains unclear. Indonesian criminal law requires actual testimony from witnesses in order for a prosecution to proceed. And, while the video has helped trace the policeman in question the identity of the Canadian tourists, who are now needed to make a formal complaint, remains very much a mystery.